Jilmar “KIKO” Portillo

Email: Jilmarportillo@gmail.com ┊ He/Him

EDUCATION

Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI - College of Arts and Letters
Graduate in the spring of 2025
Bachelor of Arts, Experience Architecture
Dean's List x4 (Fall 2022, Spring 2023, Fall 2023, Spring 2024)
Nominated for the “Forum on Education Abroad’s Award for Academic Achievement Abroad 2023”

EXPERIENCE

Visual Designer/Sales Specialist, High Society, East Lansing, MI
September 2024 - Present
Delivered high-impact solutions to stakeholders and customers by designing assets such as menu pages, labels, and promotional materials that enhance user experience and support brand identity.
Conducted research and developed prototypes for in-store assets like the in-store menu, incorporating stakeholder feedback to improve layout and usability.
Worked closely with store managers and customer service representatives to align design decisions with broader business objectives and develop long-term strategies.
Created designs focused on inclusivity and accessibility to ensure visual assets are accessible to diverse customers.

Web Designer/Content Managing, Voice Of Dagoretti, Nairobi, Kenya
May 2023 - Present
Produced high-fidelity wireframes and mockups to design web pages that align with brand identity and provide a consistent experience across devices.
Regularly presented work to peers and stakeholders, participating in design reviews to ensure alignment with organizational goals and refining designs based on feedback.
Conducted market research to identify weak points and areas for improvement.
Coordinated with other departments to deliver responsive, user-centered designs that enhance web functionality and aesthetic consistency, improving user engagement and usability.

Videographer/Video Editor, Voice Of Dagoretti, Nairobi, Kenya
May 2023 - Present
Produced and edited interview-style video content highlighting the organization’s mission and impact.
Collaborated with stakeholders and team members to ensure alignment with the organization's content strategy and capture impactful footage that enhances user connection.
Participated in iterative editing and review cycles, adjusting video elements based on feedback to create compelling, user-centered visuals.

Freelance Logo Design, Detroit, MI
June 2022 - August 2023
Designed business-focused branding assets for clients, creating custom logo designs and brand materials such as uniforms to support client identity and market positioning.
Collaborated closely with clients, incorporating feedback to deliver iterative solutions that align with brand identity.

Freelance Audio Engineer, Detroit, MI
June 2017 - August 2023
Designed and refined audio products using FL Studio, focusing on producing high-quality work that resonates with clients and audiences.
Iteratively developed audio solutions aligned with client goals and feedback, using exploratory edits and mixing to craft polished, engaging audio experiences.
Collaborated with clients to understand creative goals, translating abstract concepts into finalized audio products that meet user expectations.

SKILLS

Bilingual English & Spanish Speaker
Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Premiere Pro, FL Studio, Figma, Wix